Special teams getting a face lift this week for Michigan–Big Red Report (AUDIO)

Tim Marlowe fumbled a punt return and Kenny Bell fumbled a kick return and several other miscues on special teams in the second half led to a 45-17 blowout loss at Michigan last November. Special teams will get a major overhaul this week for the Huskers. Special teams coach Ross Els not particularly happy with the blocking on kickoffs. The Huskers have averaged 15 yards per kickoff returns the last two weeks, that’s about 8-10 yards off of what they’ve been averaging over the last few seasons. That’s basically asking the offense to pick up an extra first down each series.

Michigan averages 222 yards on the ground per game, 122 of those yards come from the legs of quarterback Dennard Robinson. John Papuchis says discipline is the key when it comes to slowing down Robinson, who Papuchis points out Robinson is 62.8% of their offense. Papuchis also mentions watching out for running Fitzgerald Toussaint. He has been ordered to attend Alcoholics Anonymous meetings, pay fines and undergo random drug and alcohol tests after the junior was sentenced in a drunken-driving case from a July arrest. Toussaint ran for more than 1,000 yards and nine touchdowns last season. This year, he has just 283 yards, second on the team behind Robinson.